Lead, 48.25 grams, 39.76 mm diameter, approx. 5 mm thickness. 14th century AD. A lead seal from a document issued by Pope Boniface IX. One face bears the name of the issuing Pope BONE/FATIVS/PP:VIIII within a circle of points, and the other the opposed profile heads of SS. Peter and Paul with a cruciform emblem between and a form of the identifying abbreviated legend 'SPASPE', (Sanctus Paulus Sanctus Petrus 'Saint Paul, Saint Peter'). Pope Bonifatius (Boniface) was born Piero Tomacelli, at Casarano in the kingdom of Naples in 1350. He was pope from 1389 until his death in 1404, while the antipope Clement VII (1378–94) continued to hold court as pope in the French city of Avignon under the protection of the French monarchy. Boniface's papacy is noted for his cautious and prudent style, regaining control of the chief castles of the Papal States. In England, the preaching of John Wyclif supported the opposition of the king and the ecclesiastical establishment to Boniface IX's granting vacant English benefices to his favourites in the Roman Curia. Papal favours were costly at this time, as the Vatican's revenues were depleted by the anti-pope. Very fine condition. Provenance: found Wiltshire, UK.

Lead, 38.17 grams, 36.81 mm dia., approx 4mm thickness. 13th century AD. A lead seal from a document issued by Pope Martin IV. The iconography of papal bulls has not altered since the time of Pope Pasquale II (1099-1118) - one face bears the name of the issuing Pope and the other the opposed profile heads of SS. Peter and Paul with a cruciform emblem between and a form of the identifying abbreviated legend 'SPASPE', (Sanctus Petrus Sanctus Paulus 'Saint Peter, Saint Paul') on the other. The present example shows on the recto the faces executed in low relief in a realistic style within a border of fine dots, below the legend. On the verso is the text MAR/TINUS/PP.IIII. Martin IV was a former chancellor of the French crown; during his tenure (1281-85) the papacy was embroiled in the rivalry between the Aragonese and Angevin states. The bulla is in good very fine condition with a sturdy, thick flan. Provenance: found Naburn, Yorkshire, England.

Lead, 9.82 grams, 29.07 mm. 13th-15th century AD. A lead seal matrix in the classic vesica shape with an epigraphic border. The text reads S' IOHES DE EIVES, seal of John of Eves. Reference: Pateman, B. Collecting Seals London, 2008. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.

Lead, 10.12 grams, 28.93 mm. 13th-15th century AD. A vesica-shaped seal with a central design consisting of radiating petals. The epigraphic border bears a short text beginning with S' (the standard abbreviation for sigillum 'seal') but otherwise illegible. The suspension loop was lost in antiquity. Reference: Pateman, B. Collecting Seals London, 2008. Fine condition. Provenance: found Sittingbourne, Kent, England.

Lead, 8.96 grams, 31.50 mm. 15th-16th century AD. A circular seal bearing a figural design of an armoured nobleman. The border bears a pseudo-script design: '+CONST . CROIN . PO [ ] VXO. Reference: Pateman, B. Collecting Seals, London, 2008. Very fine condition. Provenance: from an old English collection.